SEA OF POSSIBILITIES 2022 SUMMER READING ACTIVITIES GUIDE
With 15 public libraries in Polk County, a variety of activities, giveaways and contests are offered throughout the summer. These summer programs are free and for all ages. For more information and to locate your nearest library or participating community center, see the Oceans of Possibilities 2022 Summer Reading Activity Guide at https://mypclc.org/custom/web/content/PCLCSummerReadingGuide2022edited606.pdf.
PUBLIC LIBRARY AUBURNDALE
100 W Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale.
863-965-5548
www.auburndalefl.com/library/
STORYTIME BOXES: 2 to 5 years, books, finger plays and crafts. One-week loan, adult library card required.
STEAM BOXES: Ages 5 to 13, hands-on learning with gadgets, instruments and more, two-week checkout, youth and adult card.
PAWS FOR READING: Mondays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Read to Sophie the therapy dog.
BARTOW PUBLIC LIBRARY
2150 S. Broadway Avenue, Bartow.
863-534-0131
www.cityofbartow.net/departments-services/library
BOOK BABIES: 10am to 10:30am on Thursdays, aged 18 months to 2 years. Free. Nursery rhymes, finger plays, songs, soap bubbles.
STORY TIME: 10am to 10:45am, Tuesdays, ages 3-5. Free. Stories, songs, finger plays and a film.
STORY TIME: 3-4pm, Tuesdays, ages 6-8. Free. Stories, songs, finger plays and a film.
PUPPETRY WORKSHOP SEA CREATURES PUPPET SHOW: 3pm-4:30pm, Thursdays, ages 9-12. Free. Learn about different types of puppets and puppeteers, and make a different type of puppet each week, ending with a puppet show that you host for your friends and family. Pre-registration is recommended.
FAMILY FILM AND POPCORN: Fridays from 2pm to 4pm.
PAWS READING: 10-11am July 16. Come and read to the visiting dogs and receive a free book.
PUBLIC LIBRARY OF FORT MEADE
75 East Broadway Street, Fort Meade
863-285-8287
https://www.cityoffortmeade.com/departments/library.php
TAKE WITH YOU AND MAKE: Pick up all day, Tuesdays, Kindergarten to 12th grade. Free.
BOOK BRIDGE BUS: 11:15 am to 1:00 pm Wednesdays, children 18 and under choose a free book with each visit. Polk County School Board Program.
ANIMAL CROSSING MEETINGS: 10am-12pm, July 28, drop by, all ages. Free. Bring your own device.
HAINES CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
111 N. Sixth St., Haines City.
863-421-3633.
https://hainescity.com/171/Library
PRE-SCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30am and 11:30am on Wednesdays, ages 2-5. Free. Sea stories, singing, a puppet show and sea crafts. Limited space – first come, first served.
AMONG US: Mondays 3pm to 5pm, middle school and high school. Free. group game. Bring your own device. youth room.
OCEANS OF GAMES: July 19, 3-5pm, ages 5-12. Free. A game night featuring board games, Mario Kart, Nintendo Switch and Minecraft.
ELEMENTARY TAKE-HOME CRAFT DAY: 10am-5pm July 22, ages 5-12. Free. Stop by and pick up a take-home marine themed craft bag to make together at home. There are new crafts every Friday. While stocks last.
ANIMAL CROSSING FISHING TOURNAMENT: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, middle school and high school. Free. Bring your Nintendo Switch with the Animal Crossing game. An Animal Crossing game available for a Switch owner to play and a system with game available. First come first serve. youth room.
POKEMON-GO IN THE PARK: Noon to 3 p.m. July 16, Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave., Haines City. Trainers of all ages are invited to spend an afternoon of collecting, looting, and fun at the Haines City Public Library in Lake Eva Park.
SUMMER OF SENSORY: July 21 from 10:30-11:30 am, preschoolers will get hands-on experience with toddler-friendly activities, games and puzzles.
SUMMER TEEN GAME NIGHT: 3pm-5pm July 21, ages 13-18. Free. Snacks provided. Board games, Nintendo Switch and Dungeons & Dragons.
ENCANTO SING-A-LONG PARTY: 1-3pm July 23, Preschool and Elementary Age. Dress up, enjoy snacks and sing along with Encanto.
LAKE ALFRED PUBLIC LIBRARY
245 N Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred.
863-291-5378
https://www.mylakealfred.com/calendar.aspx?CID=33&showPastEvents=false
HISTORY TIME OF THE HONEY BEE: 10am to 11am on Wednesdays, ages 4 and under. Free. Must be accompanied by an adult.
AFTERNOON CRAFT: Mondays from 4pm to 4.30pm, ages 5+. Free. Must be accompanied by an adult.
LAKE WALES PUBLIC LIBRARY
290 Cypress Garden Lane, Lake Wales.
863-678-4004
www.cityoflakewales.com/Library
Wiggling and Giggling: 11:00am to 12:00pm Tuesdays, Walkers 4 and under and their carers. Free. Books, finger plays, action songs and rhymes.
ANIME CLUB: 1pm-2pm Saturdays, ages 13-18.
LAKELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Larry R. Jackson branch
eLibrary South Lakeland
1700 N Florida Avenue, Lakeland.
863-834-4288
http://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/library/
OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITIES: Friday Drop-Ins 10am-12pm, Larry R. Jackson Branch. Free. No registration required. Explore the depths of the ocean with crafts and games. July 22, The Abyssal Layer; July 29, The Trenches.
MUGS & BOOKS: 3:30pm July 21, ages 7-12. Larry R. Jackson branch. Free. No registration required. A picture book science club where children read a story and do science experiments. July 21, Underwater Volcanoes.
CUPS & BOOKS: July 19, 10am, ages 7-12. eLibrary South Lakeland. Free. No registration required. A picture book science club where children read a story and do science experiments. underwater volcanoes.
STORYTIME WITH MR. CHARLES: July 27, 10 a.m., Main Library.
MEDULLA RESOURCE CENTER
1049 Parker Road, Lakeland.
BUSY BEE SPORT SEARCHERS: 10am-11am Tuesdays, ages 3-6 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Limited to July 15 Sport: Athletics. Presented by Polk County Parks & Recreation. Contact [email protected]. https://www.facebook.com/events/591830545194199/.
TIME OF NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., July 21, preschool children up to 6 years old. For free. A costumed character reads stories from a children’s book. July Book: “If I Were a Park Ranger” by Catherine Stier. Practical activities follow. Snacks provided. Presented by Polk County Parks & Recreation. Limited capacity. 863-647-4035. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Medulla-Community-Center/202835616435593
MULBERRY PUBLIC LIBRARY
905 Fifth St. NE, Mulberry.
MULBERRY CIVIC CENTER
901 Fifth St. NE, Mulberry.
863-425-3246
www.mulberrylibrary.com/
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 9:30 am and 10:30 am Wednesdays, ages 5 and under. Civic Center. Free. stories and songs.
BOOK BRIDGE BUS: 11:15 am to 1:00 pm On Tuesdays, elementary school children choose a free book with each visit. Polk County School Board Program.
POKEMON CLUB: 3:30-4:30pm July 18, ages 7-14, Pavilion. Free. Swap cards and fight.
PENCIL PRINTOUT: July 19, 10 a.m., Elementary School; 1:30 p.m. July 21, middle school. civic center. Free. writing club. Snacks provided.
BOOK AND A CRAFT: 10am-11am July 19, Grades 1-5. Fri. civic center. Highlight a story book and create a craft that fits the story.
TWISTED TALES: July 21, 2:30-3:30 p.m., grades 9-12. civic center. Free. High School Book Club. Review of “The Raft”
CONTINUE TO PLAY! CHILDREN: 10am to 11am July 26, grades 1-5. Free. conference room. jigsaw puzzles and board games.
CONTINUE TO PLAY! TWEENS: 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. July 28, free. civic center. Puzzles, board games and video games.
CONTINUE TO PLAY! YOUTH: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 28, free. civic center. Puzzles, board games and video games.
WINTER HAVEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
325 ave. A NW, Winter Haven.
863-291-5880
www.mywinterhaven.com/library/
LEGO CLUB: 4pm to 5pm Tuesdays, ages 6 to 12. Free. lego blocks. Creations to be exhibited the following week.
Submit children’s activities to [email protected].